Based on analysis of multiple outside rankings, Hudson is a more moderate right of center Republican Party vote. As a result, he may break with the Republican Party line more than his fellow members.

Biography

Hudson grew up Charlotte. He got started in politics early on, helping out his grandfather's city council campaign in Roanoke Rapids. He also served as the student-body president at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. He graduated with degrees in History and Political Science. After graduation, he worked as a staffer in Washington, D.C.[3]

Issues

Legislative actions

113th Congress

The second session of the 113th Congress enacted into law 114 out of the 3,036 introduced bills (3.8 percent). Comparatively, the 112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[5] For more information pertaining to Hudson's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.[6]

National security

NDAA

Hudson voted for HR 1960 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. The bill passed the House on June 14, 2013, with a vote of 315 - 108. Both parties were somewhat divided on the vote.[7]

DHS Appropriations

Hudson voted for HR 2217 - the DHS Appropriations Act (2014) Act of 2014. The bill passed the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 245 - 182 that was largely along party lines.[8]

CISPA (2013)

Hudson voted for HR 624 - the CISPA (2013). The bill passed the House on April 18, 2013, with a vote of 288 - 127. The bill would allow federal intelligence agencies to share cybersecurity intelligence and information with private entities and utilities. The bill was largely supported by Republicans, but divided the Democratic Party.[9]

Economy

Government shutdown

On September 30, 2013, the House passed a final stopgap spending bill before the shutdown went into effect. The bill included a one-year delay of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate and would have also stripped the bill of federal subsidies for congressional members and staff. It passed through the House with a vote of 228-201.[10] At 1 a.m. on October 1, 2013, one hour after the shutdown officially began, the House voted to move forward with going to a conference. In short order, Sen. Harry Reid rejected the call to conference.[11] Hudson voted in favor of the stopgap spending bill that would have delayed the individual mandate.[12]

The shutdown finally ended on October 16, 2013, when the House took a vote on HR 2775 after it was approved by the Senate. The bill to reopen the government lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies.[13] The House passed the legislation shortly after the Senate, by a vote of 285-144, with all 144 votes against the legislation coming from Republican members. Hudson voted against HR 2775.[14]

Federal Pay Adjustment Act

Hudson voted for HR 273 - Eliminates the 2013 Statutory Pay Adjustment for Federal Employees. The bill passed the House on February 15, 2013, with a vote of 261 - 154. The bill would prevent a 0.5% pay increase for all federal workers from taking effect, saving the federal government $11 billion over 10 years.[15]

Immigration

Morton Memos Prohibition

Hudson voted for House Amendment 136 - Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order. The amendment was adopted by the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 224 - 201. The purpose of the amendment as stated on the official text is to "prohibit the use of funds to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the Morton Memos." These memos would have granted administrative amnesty to certain illegal aliens residing in the United States.[16] The vote largely followed party lines.[17]

Healthcare

Healthcare Reform Rules

Hudson voted for House Amendment 450 - Requires Congressional Approval for Any Rules Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The amendment was adopted by the House on August 2, 2013, with a vote of 227-185. The amendment requires that all changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act be approved by Congress before taking effect. The vote was largely along party lines.[18]

Social issues

Abortion

Hudson voted for HR 1797 - Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. The resolution passed the House on June 18, 2013, with a vote of 228 - 196 that largely followed party lines. The purpose of the bill is to ban abortions that would take place 20 or more weeks after fertilization.[19]

Campaign themes

2012

Excerpt: "Richard knows the importance of getting this economy growing and creating jobs. He is committed to conservative, pro-business principles that will help create jobs: cutting taxes, reducing excessive regulations and fully funding worker retraining programs at our community colleges."

Life

Excerpt: "Richard is 100% Pro-Life and will fight for legislation which protects life from conception until natural death. He knows that life is a precious gift from God and should be protected at all stages. As our Congressman, Richard will defend the ban on partial birth abortions and fight against any legislation which seeks to legalize euthanasia."

Taxes and Spending

Excerpt: "As a solid conservative, Richard is certain of one thing: Washington has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. That’s why Richard has pledged to never increase taxes as a member of Congress."

Second Amendment Rights

Excerpt: "A lifelong hunter, sportsman and member of the National Rifle Association, Richard knows the Second Amendment is America’s First Freedom. As our Congressman, he will vigorously defend the rights of all law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms. Richard knows that our God-given rights ensure that Americans can own firearms for hunting, shooting sports, self-defense or any other lawful purpose."

Traditional Marriage

Excerpt: "Richard believes that marriage should always be a sacred union between one man and one woman. As our Congressman, he will support a Constitutional Amendment to Protect Traditional Marriage. Richard understands this is a necessary measure to stop radical federal judges from imposing their extreme agenda on our society."

Hudson previously served under Rep. Robin Hayes. Hudson said he could jump right in to the office once elected and won’t have the learning curve others would need because of his experience. At the same time, he stressed he is not a Washington insider and is still connected to his district saying, “The inability to find sweet tea or Cheerwine made Washington, D.C.—it was never going to be a permanent situation for me.”[22]

Kissell did not received the monetary assistance set aside for him from the Democratic Party, while the Republican Party poured money into Hudson's campaign.[24] Despite the fact that the majority of voters in this district were registered Democrats, the district has a history of voting Republican, and after redistricting the ratio of Democrats to Republicans decreased.[24] The disparity of funds and the new political demographic had analysts favoring Hudson in this race, but Kissell won against long odds in the past: in 2006, he won the primary for the Democratic nomination without the support of the party.[25]

Hudson's campaign reports that Kissell declined to schedule a final debate between the two candidates and claimed that he was reluctant to engage in debates throughout his campaign.[26]

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for Hudson is available dating back to 2012. Based on available campaign finance records, Hudson raised a total of $1,518,469 during that time period. This information was last updated on May 16, 2013.[32]

Lifetime voting record

According to the website GovTrack, Hudson missed 1 of 108 roll call votes from Jan 2013 to Apr 2013, which is 0.9% of votes during that period. This is better than the median of 2.2% among the lifetime records of representatives currently serving.[47]

Net worth

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Hudson's net worth as of 2012 was estimated between $6,008 and $334,998. That averages to $170,503, which is lower than the average net worth of Republican representatives in 2012 of $7,614,097.96. Hudson ranked as the 357th most wealthy representative in 2012.[48]

Richard Hudson Yearly Net Worth

Year

Average Net Worth

2012

$170,503.00

The data used to calculate changes in net worth may include changes resulting from assets gained through marriage, inheritance, changes in family estates and/or trusts, changes in family business ownership and many other variables unrelated to a member's behavior in Congress.

Voting with party

June 2013

Hudson voted with the Republican Party 94.1% of the time, which ranked 111th among the 234 House Republican members as of June 2013.[49]

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